California State Library Foundation
Number 98 2010 California State Library Foundation
Number 98 2010 Editor Bulletin Gary F. Kurutz 2 �����������������Stitching the Picture Together: editorial assistant Kathleen Correia A Profile of Vincent Beiderbecke By M. Patricia Morris Copy Editor M. Patricia Morris 12 �������������My Part of 100 Years of California County Library History Board of Directors By Gary E. Strong Kenneth B. Noack, Jr. President 18 �������������Daguerreotyping John Rollin Ridge, George Basye Vice-President the First Native American Novelist Thomas E. Vinson By Gary F. Kurutz Treasurer Donald J. Hagerty 24 �������������New Legislator Profiles: Assembly Members Secretary Alyson Huber and Paul Fong Stacey Aldrich By Mimi Morris State Librarian of California 27 �������������Foundation Notes Robert Dickover JoAnn Levy Allan Forbes Sue T. Noack Foundation Board Meets in Woodland Herbert Hunn Marilyn Snider JoAnn Levy & Philip Isenberg Elected to Board Phillip L. Isenberg Thomas W. Stallard Mead B. Kibbey Sandra Swafford State Library Muybridge Images in Traveling Exhibition Early Abraham Lincoln Document Discovered Gary F. Kurutz Julia Schaw Foundation Announces New Publication: The Final Days Executive Director Administrative Assistant of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Shelley Ford Bookkeeper 32 �������������Contributors List The California State Library Foundation Bulletin is Note: Recent issues of The Bulletin, including this one, may be viewed published when we are able. © 2004-2010. in full color on our website at www.cslfdn.org. Opinions of the authors are their own and do not Front Cover: This striking 1897 La Fiesta de Los Angeles poster was necessarily reflect the opinions of their institutions, the California State Library or the Foundation. one of 2,400 oversize pictures and maps photographed by Vincent Beiderbecke. The Bulletin is included as a membership benefit to Foundation members and those individuals Back Cover: Gold Rush author and artist Frank Marryat produced the contributing $40.00 or more annually to Foundation drawing for this beautiful c. 1851 chromolithograph of San Francisco. Programs. Membership rates are: See article on pages 2-11. Associate: $40-$99 Illustrations: Pages 24 and 25 courtesy of Assembly Members Contributor: $100-249 Huber and Fong; all others from the California History Section, Sponsor: $250-$499 Patron: $500-$999 California State Library. Institutional: $500 Photography and scans by Vincent Beiderbecke Corporate: $750 Lifetime Member: $1,000 Design: Angela Tannehill, Tannehill Design Pioneer: $5,000 California State Library Foundation Subscription to Libraries: $30/year 1225 8th Street, Suite 345, Sacramento, CA 95814 tel: 916.447.6331 web: www.cslfdn.org email: [email protected]
Bulletin Number 98 1 Stitching the Picture Together:
A Profile of Vincent Beiderbecke By M. Patricia Morris
Wreck of the Viscata near Fort Point, San Francisco, 1868. Albumen mammoth plate photograph by C. E. Watkins. 15½ x 21¼ in.
incent Beiderbecke didn’t hesitate when asked the most “important and prestigious presidents of the United what project he had enjoyed doing the most. “It’s States,” as he described him. “It’s just an appointment for a mil- right over there,” he said pointing to a neatly itary officer,” he said, “But still, just the fact that it was signed by labeled document folder on his cubicle table. “It’s a certificate Abraham Lincoln, it just blew me away.” of Nomination and Appointment of N. P. Chipman to the Rank Nearly three years ago, in June 2007, the State Library hired of Colonel in the Service of the United States Armed Forces.” Vincent Beiderbecke as a student assistant to scan photographs, What had impressed Vincent so much about this official paper art work, and other documents for the Library’s digitization proj- was the signature in green ink, a signature belonging to one of ect. The project was initiated in the late 1990s to help preserve these materials electronically and make them more readily avail- able to the public through online access. The program today is M. Patricia Morris is a frequent contributor to the Bulletin. Cur- directed by Senior Librarian Marianne Leach, who along with rently, she is helping the Library create an online exhibit featuring other members of the California History Section staff, create the historic California cookbooks. catalog records that go with each of the images Vincent scans.
2 California State Library Foundation Pacific Mail Steamship Company’s Steamer City of Peking, c. 1875. Albumen mammoth plate published by Thomas Houseworth & Co. 27¾ x 21¾ in.
Bulletin Number 98 3 (Above) University of California, Berkeley, c. 1875. Albumen mammoth plate photograph by C. E. Watkins. 15 x 20½ in.
(Right) Frisbie House and Pier, Vallejo, c. 1876. Albumen mammoth plate photograph by C. E. Watkins. 14¾ x 21¼ in.
4 California State Library Foundation Los Angeles and Independence Railroad Depot. Albumen mammoth plate photograph by C. E. Watkins. 15 x 21¼ in.
Vincent’s work requires a high degree of technical skill and the computer program Adobe® Photoshop®, you put all these computer savvy. “It is very important that you get the color right; together. He said in this way, “You can make a very high resolu- that the resolution is high enough so that people in the future tion final image with several hundred megabytes of detail.” It is can make very large reproductions and very large prints of these a process of literally “stitching the photograph together.” documents for exhibitions or for study.” Vincent loves his work as a scanning technician and wouldn’t Sometimes, though, documents are too big for the scan- mind at all if it turned into a permanent position. “The beauty ner, and that’s when the ability to use a camera skillfully is of the job,” he said, “is that every day you get to see something essential. A photography major at California State University, different. You get to see a new collection of postcards, or ste- Sacramento, Vincent recently had an opportunity to use his reographs, or oversized photographs. The job never gets boring photography skills when the Library rented a high resolution because of that.” digital camera to photograph 2,400 oversized documents that Vincent has no time to become bored. He is a full-time stu- included images by two of the most renowned photographers dent, taking four classes and holding down two and occasion- of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Eadweard Muy- ally three other jobs in addition to his assistantship at the State bridge and Carleton Watkins, as well as photographs from the Library. On Saturdays, he is employed as a darkroom assistant Library’s Gladding McBean collection, plates from large folio at Sacramento State, where he opens and closes the labs and books, and lots of bird’s-eye views. helps other students with traditional black and white printing. It wasn’t possible to capture some of the larger images in He sells tickets at the Hornets’ sporting events, and if the oppor- one take, even with the camera rented for this effort. Vincent tunity arises, plays his violin at wedding gigs. explained that when you have a document as large as some Music is no minor diversion for him. He is, in fact, an accom- bird’s-eye views, you have to use a telephoto lens to take one, plished violinist. Exuding his enthusiasm for the instrument, two, three, or more photographs in a pattern, and then using he explains, “When people say they play an instrument, the vio-
Bulletin Number 98 5 6 California State Library Foundation (Above) Vincent prepares to shoot one of the 2,400 oversize images from the Library’s California History Section with the ingenious track mechanism he created to hold the camera with which he photographed the oversize prints and photographs.
(Left) Half Dome, Yosemite. Albumen mammoth plate photograph by C. E. Watkins.
(Below) San Francisco at the height of the Gold Rush, c. 1851. This beautiful chromolithograph was published in London from an image created by noted author Frank Marryat. 18¾ x 27¼ in.
Bulletin Number 98 7 lin — A violinist should say, I play two instruments, because A year or so ago, Vincent formed a musical trio with some you have to play the left hand, which is a whole technique unto friends called the River City Classical Trio. The group per- itself, and you also have play the right hand for the bow, which formed at weddings and other similar gigs. Unfortunately, the is another completely different technique.” It is a very difficult opportunities to play at weddings seem to have declined with thing, Vincent says, to put these “two completely different tech- the economy. niques and ideas together.” But to him, it is worth the challenge, A number of people have told Vincent, “I gave up the violin; time, and money to do it. I gave up the piano; I gave up a musical instrument when I He has taken private lessons for most of the fourteen years he was younger, and I very much regret that.” He doesn’t want to has pursued the instrument and still takes lessons with Anna be that kind of person. Although he does not plan to pursue Presler at Sac State. He has played in several area orchestras, a career as a professional musician, he wants to keep playing, including the Sacramento Youth Symphony, Sacramento State at least in community orchestras. No matter what other obli- Symphony, The Academy at All Hallows Orchestra, and Folsom gations are clamoring for his attention, he tries to pick up his Lake Symphony Orchestra. Whose music does Vincent favor? violin every day to practice. The answer is Austrian composer Gustav Mahler above all oth- As a native Californian born and raised in Sacramento, Vin- ers, particularly for his nine symphonies, noted for their length cent tells you that Sacramento holds attractions for him beyond and expansive view of the world. music, work and school. What he relishes about living in the
“Columbia, Southern Mines, California,” drawn from nature by Kuchel & Dresel, printed by Britton & Rey. 1855. 16¼ x 24¼ in.
8 California State Library Foundation state’s capitol city is not so much the city itself, but all the “won- Printed by the Los Angeles Lithograph derful places you can go. . . ,” he says, “and how accessible Company, this now they are.” A list of favorite destinations includes Lake Tahoe, rare 1897 color San Francisco, Bodega Bay, and Yosemite. But he has a special poster advertised a major cultural event fondness for a place somewhat farther away — the redwoods recalling the city’s in Northwestern California. “I have never been to a place on Hispanic heritage. 28 x 20 ¼ in. earth as spectacular as the redwood parks up in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties.” Citing Jedediah Smith, Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast state parks and Redwood National Park, he says, “It is one of the most pristine, beautiful areas in California, if not the most beautiful. . . . It is very humbling to visit those [parks] and to see the tiny remnants of what California used to have.” He is appreciative of the Save the Redwoods League for its work in preserving the state’s remaining redwood forests where he goes to hike and take photographs. On Monday, it’s back to his job at the State Library. This
U.S. Pacific Mail Ship California. Hand-tinted color lithograph published by Sarony & Major, NewY ork. 21½ x 29¼ in.
Bulletin Number 98 9 (Above) Italian Swiss Colony, (Right) “The Battle at Young’s Cabin.” Tipo Wine. This beautiful This hand painted poster on canvas chromolithograph poster was was one of three created to promote recently donated to the Library the lectures of George Sontag of by John B. Dykstra. Evans and Sontag fame. 43 x 31¼ in. twenty-one-year-old is not only adept at capturing the detail in what we have, and so digitization projects are a big part in get- the photographs and documents he scans, but has a surpris- ting our name out there and letting people know that we have ing awareness of how his role at the Library is part of a larger these things.” picture. He sees two major challenges for the Library: the first Vincent will graduate this fall. How does he envision his career is the problem of adequate funding and the fact that as a state path with his degree in hand? He hopes it will involve photog- agency it doesn’t have, as he phrases it “alumni” to support its raphy, but he is realistic about the vicissitudes of life, and how programs. The second challenge is the ongoing problem of cre- they can alter the future. “People often major in one thing in col- ating a public awareness of the Library and its treasures. “We’ve lege, and they end up doing something completely different in got some fantastic collections. Just beautiful photographs and their professional lives, so you can’t place too much importance albums and all different kinds of things, and people forget that on what your major is. I could end up doing something radically we are here,” he says. He sees digitization as one means of pub- different from photography later on.” Given a choice, he would licizing the Library and its collections. He explained, “When like to work in state service and to do something in terms of art people go to the California State Library Web site, the big face of reproduction or digitization projects, a description that sounds the Web site, I think, is our picture catalog. That is the place that very much like the job he is currently doing for the California people go to. They want to see photographs. They want to see State Library. J
10 California State Library Foundation Bulletin Number 98 11 Gary Strong, during his peregrinations throughout California, enjoyed recording events with his camera.
My Part of 100 Years of California County Library History
By Gary E. Strong University Librarian, UCLA State Librarian of California (1980–1994)
Editor’s note Mr. Strong presented this paper at the annual meeting of the California Library Association in Pasadena, October 31, 2009.
12 California State Library Foundation irst let me thank you for inviting me here to Lucerne Valley for the dedication of the new branch in this com- celebrate the 100th anniversary of county librar- munity of about 10,000 people. Flying over the mountains on ies in California. I am honored to have a moment the approach to the airport, the flames and smoke reminded me to reflect on fourteen years of working with counties and their how vulnerable these natural areas are to fire in the fall. Smoke, libraries while serving as State Librarian of California. When I dust, and ash hung in the air as we drove away from the airport arrived in the state in 1980, I immediately discovered that I was and began our journey. to have “general supervision of all county libraries” in my port- Real estate promotion took on new meaning as we passed folio of challenges facing me as state librarian. Having driven a freeway interchanges around which homes have popped up like bookmobile in a county library early in my career, I had some so many 7-11 stores. The strip developments line the sides of idea of the challenges that would confront me. the freeway to attract those looking for lower-cost housing away Within the first two months, I had visited Riverside, Los Ange- from Los Angeles. One can stop on the way by and quickly select les, Yolo, and Ventura County libraries. In the early part of 1981, I a new home as if it were a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread. continued with visits to San Diego, Fresno, Stockton-San Joaquin This seems yet another attempt to solve California’s horrendous County, San Bernardino, Orange, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, and housing problem, and it contributed to the rapid growth in this Sonoma county libraries. During the next fourteen years, I would area. It reminds me of the bungalow boom that so quickly devel- visit every county in California—many more than once. oped in many other areas of the state. I discovered that in addition to general supervision of county But the Joshua trees left the greatest impression on me as libraries, I was to serve as chair of a state government commis- the sun slid toward the west late in the afternoon. The red sky sion known as the Board of Library Examiners. It was clear, cast shadows on the desert browns, the white oasis from Kaiser early in my tenure that this body was of questionable value and Gypsum plants stood out against the foothills of higher moun- in the post-Prop 13 era state government was looking for ways tain ranges. of reducing state government. Sounds familiar, right? Well I The Lucerne Valley people are wonderful—children, families, would be the first state librarian to never call the Board into officials—good people who believe in and love libraries. People, a meeting. While the Board never met, it did not remove my who have come to celebrate a new community center, people responsibility to oversee the appointment of county librarians who have fought hard to get this branch built and to talk us out or to become involved in the inner-workings of county libraries. of scarce LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act) dollars But more about that later. to get it done. Such warm people—people who make a differ- There are many things to remember about my travels across ence in this state. As is so for many small California communi- and up and down California and its libraries. But for today, I ties, this new building will be the key building in town. thought I would select some passages from my personal journal Sonoma County offers a wonderful weekend getaway. When to share with you. These are impressions of the time and of each coupled with dedicating the new Healdsburg Library, it was a tre- visit and certainly do not cover everything. But let me begin. mendous retreat. David Sabsay and his people have designed a Joshua trees in the high desert in San Bernardino County, very pleasant new building for this community set in the “other” Catalina Island in the fog, terraced vineyards in Sonoma County, wine country. Private support here is creating a wine library as a and tule fog in the Delta are the images of a diverse California dedicated portion of the building. It captures not only the rich his- this wandering state librarian experienced during the past few tory of the industry but of the area as well. The building is open years of travel. I have many opportunities to travel and have and airy, accented with woods and other natural materials. seen every corner of the Golden State, and I often have the urge Conversation with the many diverse and interesting individu- to share my observations about the people, the places, and the als who participated in this day’s events was a true high. My wife, events I encounter during my travels. Carolyn, accompanied me on this one, and we enjoyed some San Bernardino County Librarian Barbara Anderson met relaxing time at the Vintner’s Inn, a great spot in the heart of me at the Ontario airport. We drove through the desert to the a vineyard. The large individually decorated rooms overlooked a central plaza and fountain. Rooms were comfortable and deco- rated with European pine furniture. The blend of French country Mr. Strong is University Librarian at UCLA; former California charm and personal service afforded a restful experience. State Librarian (serving for fourteen years); and founder of the Cali- Between trips to Lucerne Valley and Healdsburg, I found fornia State Library Foundation. He is a generous donor to the Li- myself in South Whittier to dedicate a new branch library in the brary and Foundation. Los Angeles County Public Library System—a good turnout of
Bulletin Number 98 13 political and community leaders here as well. Located in a com- constrained climate of post-Proposition 13 funding. Libraries mercial area, the building will be a hit. are beginning to recover some of the basic services and are now “They remind me of sleeping dinosaurs,” Catherine Lucas said at least open so people can get to books. as we headed toward the Pauma Valley. Glancing aside I real- The occasion of Calaveras County Library’s 50th anniversary ized they did—dark green, scaly-looking ribs rising out of dark afforded an opportunity to drive down to Sonora to see the new brown valleys forming a long body with no head. This one must library building serving Tuolumne County. Partially funded be asleep. We were driving into rural San Diego County to see with a grant from the State Library, it had been dedicated before firsthand new library service work with the Indian reservations, being fully completed. How different a library is when it is filled sponsored under an LSCA grant to the San Diego County Library. with books and people reading, for they are what make a build- As we drove, the images of dinosaurs stayed in my mind. ing into a real library. Fund-raising continues to provide the Smoke rose from unseen chimneys set high in ravines above much needed extras. Ground is being broken on the property the highway. My thoughts flashed back quickly to Mount St. for a senior center next to the library, and this new center will Helens. We were living in Olympia at the time that giant spoke continue to grow. It looks quite different from the field I first emphatically. Will this dinosaur again come back to life? Citrus saw several years ago, when the library was first proposed. groves lined the highway, and a mushroom farm sandwiched Driving north again, we passed Mark Twain’s cabin and arrive among trees quickly passed. All too soon we were there and our in Mokelumne Hill, where dinner had been planned in the his- attention turned once again to libraries. toric Hotel Leger. An expected turnout of twenty to thirty had Now in their sixth year, the workshops sponsored by the Cali- mushroomed to over 150, so the festivities had to be moved across fornia Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners gave the street to the town hall. Servers ran food across the street to me the opportunity to talk with many library lay leaders across serve the well-wishers. Assemblywoman Delaine Eastin spoke, the state. The series began in Pleasanton, attracting over 100 challenging people to consider investing in California once again. people to this new library. Open, airy, and friendly, the library She delivers a powerful message—her voice rings true. is a new breed and has a true community focus. It is evident as One does not often have an opportunity to host the nation’s one walks through the public areas that people love their library. First Lady. Arriving at the Montebello Community Library, Mrs. They like being there, and the staff likes having them. County [Barbara] Bush was greeted by Los Angeles County Librarian Librarian Ginnie Cooper and her staff have worked hard to cre- Sandy Ruben and me, and we spent an hour celebrating the suc- ate a truly unique experience for people looking for books. cess of the people and libraries of the California Literacy Cam- A month later, seventy people came together in Napa. The paign. After a briefing, Mrs. Bush viewed the operation of the library here is well established and heavily used. It is wonderful literacy hotline of the Community Access Library Line (CALL). to see people reading, studying, and listening to music. Stacks Mrs. Bush heard firsthand from adult learners and tutors on of books leave, held close in the arms of family members who how California Literacy Campaign programs have prepared peo- paused to share their selections with each other before running ple to succeed at reading and writing better at home and at work. out into the rain to their cars. They share and argue over who She visited with each learner, hearing their personal stories and gets to read a favorite book first. Obviously their stops at the asking each questions. Fielding questions from the media dur- library are as important a Saturday family outing as shopping ing this time, she commented, “I’m here to cheer these people. for groceries. I’m thrilled with what California has done.” She praised the A trip that ended in Napa began several days earlier with a statewide literacy campaign, but she added that there was still drive through the Central Valley, over Pacheco Pass and into much work to be done to combat the problem of illiteracy. Monterey for a meeting. Signs of new life were everywhere. Driving up the coast the next morning, I realized that I could Newly turned earth looked brown/black in the morning mist, not have picked a more beautiful time of year for such a trek. and fruit trees bloomed against a backdrop of Kelly green. One Fields were being prepared and many stood ready to receive is reminded how really dependent on water we are by the aque- seeds. The offshore oil platforms made me think seriously duct that snakes its way through the valley. Like many reservoirs of the impact of the Huntington Beach spill of the morning this year, the San Luis Reservoir is low by any measure. Shades before and of the vulnerability of our environment in light of of green spring forth covering the rocks and hills. It is so evident the needs we force onto the ecosystem. The forest and moun- here how important agriculture is to the economy of California. tains offered a peaceful drive into San Mateo. In between I We shared Barbara Campbell’s* birthday and learned of her stopped at several libraries, where I sneaked in anonymously work to restore library service in Shasta County in a particularly to see what was happening.
14 California State Library Foundation Gary Strong at his desk in the State Librarian’s Office in the Library & Courts Building.
Fierce, white foamy waves lick the blue horizon of the Pacific An early morning start took us into the desert toward Indio, Ocean as I drive north out of San Diego’s Mission Valley. Traf- Riverside County where we stopped long enough to visit the fic moves north through the cities and open spaces slowly, but library and for a quick walk onto the bookmobile that serves the the clear weather and calm breezes make no demands to hurry. agricultural workers as a part of the partnerships program. On It gives me time to reflect on the celebrations of Partnership our way again, we drive to Mecca for the dedication of a new for Change [program] I was leaving behind—the smiling small branch library. First a quick drive by the old branch—an 800 Chinese boys full of mischief waiting to perform the Lion’s square foot café, now closed. The new building is inviting and Head Dance; firecrackers hung ready to be lit; drums, cymbals, the community turned out for the festivities. People here really and costumes giving finishing touches to the procession that like their library! led us into the library. Small, bright-eyed girls dressed in their Stratford and Kettleman City, two communities in Kings native Hmong costume wait patiently for their time to dance. County opened small branches during December. I flew to Announcements and a Mexican dinner followed. Fresno, where Ivan Idelman, Kings County Librarian, met me
Bulletin Number 98 15 to drive to each community for its dedication. Each library is definitely the best building in town and replaces formerly inad- equate library facilities. Located in farming areas of the county, each community will be so much better served by these new facilities. The State Library provided grants under LSCA for each of the buildings, and local funds picked up the remainder. Returning to the Fresno airport, I learned that the Sacramento airport was under fog, and the last flight had been cancelled. Wanting to be back home, there was no choice for me but to rent a car and drive the 160 miles north to pick up my car. The sky was clear, of course, when I arrived around midnight to retrieve my car and drive on home. The day was well worth it, though. A month later, my stopover in Fresno was a wonderful oppor- Mr. Strong, as State Librarian, was a passionate advocate for literacy tunity to catch up with County Librarian John Kallenberg and to programs. In this photograph, he happily assists First Lady Barbara Bush be on hand to speak to the annual meeting of the Friends of the in receiving a check from Bank of America’s Shelly Parges to create the California Literacy Fund for “The New Readers of California.” Fresno County Library. They were a wonderful audience, even with the message of gloom for libraries. Spirited auction bids flew, several books found new owners, and the questions were Joshua trees in the high desert in right to the point about libraries, funding, trends, reading and more. It was great be in the Central Valley even for a short time. San Bernardino County, Catalina Whiskeytown, Oak Bottom, French Gulch, Buckhorn Summit, Iron and Sugar Loaf Mountains—each is a stop on a recent trip to Island in the fog, terraced vineyards in Weaverville to dedicate the Trinity County Library building. Whis- keytown Lake shimmers in the afternoon sun—so inviting to the passing traveler, as it must have been to the settlers crossing the Sonoma County, and tule fog in the Delta first time toward new homes and hopes for the future. This project, a new library for Trinity County, seemed as if are the images of a diverse California this it would never happen. The grant from LSCA funds was first made in 1985. Things just seemed to keep getting in the way. wandering state librarian experienced during The library had been housed for years in an 1856 blacksmith shop on route 299 snaking through the center of Weaverville. The little sliver of a storefront in the historic section housed the the past few years of travel. I have many cramped library. The dirt filled ceiling overhead afforded fire suppression and the high ceilings captured all of the heat above opportunities to travel and have seen every books and people. Today this historic building houses a very pleasant art and framing shop. The new library comes into view corner of the Golden State, and I often across from the Forest Service station at the bend of the road. Framed by Oregon Mountain, the library beckons to readers in have the urge to share my observations about this remote community. Quite a day, quite a day. A library to be dedicated drew me to Temecula in Riverside County. After a restful evening at the Temecula Creek Inn, I the people, the places, and the events I joined hundreds from the community to enjoy this innovative and exciting new building. The children’s department here, in encounter during my travels. particular, is inviting and warm. You want to sit down and read.
16 California State Library Foundation Over one hundred people gathered in Palmdale for the first of the county library act held in conjunction with a CLA meet- annual celebration of the library. Civic leaders, supporters, ing in Los Angeles. It was a banquet which replicated the exact a couple of writers all joined together to celebrate the library. menu of the founding dinner in 1909 again at CLA. Former Speaking to this kind of enthusiastic group provides a lot of State Librarian Carma Leigh was the honored guest. I recall the positives. Most important, the group made a big impression on many annual meetings of county librarians which I hosted in the community about how important their library is and what my office in Sacramento. One memorable evening was spent they need to do to support it. with Lawrence Clark Powell who came and shared his reflec- tions on the theme of county libraries and his relationship with here are two other experiences that I would like to relate to State Librarian Mabel Gillis. Twork toward an end to my talk, that were unrelated to my As I come to a close, I want to ask that we remember James travels. The first was the attempt on the part of the County Com- Gillis, Harriet Eddy, and May Dexter Henshall. These were the missioners to close the Mendocino County Library in the early folks who made it possible for us to have this celebration today. 90s. I contacted the chair of the Board and indicated that was They are unsung heroes in my library book, often forgotten by certainly within their powers, but that I would have to recover the library profession at large. What we have accomplished in the corpus of the LSCA grant I had given them to build the new California, I believe stands alongside the development of the library in Fort Bragg, plus interest. After a long pause, he said, great city libraries in Boston, New York, Cleveland, Detroit, and “I’ll get back to you.” A few days later the county attorney called Chicago. And along the way, Carma Leigh, Virginia Hughes, Cy to tell me that I couldn’t do that and that they didn’t have to Silver, John Amend, Gail McGovern, Ann Kirkland, and many comply. Well, I was ready with chapter and verse, but mostly other State Library staff too numerous to mention here who federal code which he didn’t seem to have consulted and his fire worked on the library demonstrations that culminated in the died down pretty quickly. They took action to fund the library establishment of the last county library in Lake County in 1976. and keep it open. Library development takes time. On another occasion, the county manager in San Diego Sustaining what we have created will continue to be a huge County decided that they needed to fill the county librarian’s challenge. The State Library and the State Librarian play an position and they also needed to find a new home for the county important part of keeping the flame burning and the hope animal control officer. Even though the Board of Library Exam- alive. Universal library service is still a standard toward which iners had been abolished several years before, the requirements we should be moving. My very best wishes to those of you who for a trained librarian were still in the statutes. My call to him hold that standard in place today. Thank you for listening to the was received, as one might expect, somewhat coldly. He told me ramblings of one of the old guard who believes deeply in what that I could not influence this local decision. I informed him you do. Bringing people and books together, helping people that “yes I could as I would hold to the requirements in the empower themselves is still a noble challenge. J code.” I offered to give this person time to acquire the required credentials, basically the MLS accredited library degree, but she was not interested in investing in that option. So the appoint- ment was short-lived, and she moved onto other opportunities. During my tenure as State Librarian, the state took four major steps in supporting local public library service during the 1980s: The Public Library Finance Act of 1982, the Families for Literacy *For many years Barbara Campbell (1929–2007) served on the Act in 1987, the California Public Libraries Construction and Foundation’s Board of Directors. From 1973-1984 she held the posi- Renovation Bond Act in 1988, and the California Library Lit- tion of Santa Clara County Librarian and was an active member of eracy Service Act in 1990. These initiatives came through hard the California Library Association (president 1980) and American work and collaboration. Each moved county libraries forward Association of University Women. after the devastation of Proposition 13. The other day I pulled out the menu for the 75th celebration ©2009. All Rights Reserved.
Bulletin Number 98 17 This sixth plate of the half Cherokee author “Yellow Bird” (John Rollin Ridge) ranks as one of the great daguerreotype portraits in the Library’s collection.
ne of the great daguerreotype1 portraits from the Daguerreotyping California Gold Rush era is that of Native American author John Rollin Ridge. Piercing eyes, a bearded face, wavy jet-black hair, and a silk cravat preserved on the sil- John Rollin Ridge, very surface of a daguerreotype form an arresting, magnetic image. One look and the viewer is spellbound and instinctively the First Native knows that the subject was a person of importance. A few years back when the Library received a decent acqui- 2 3 1 sition budget, this famed sixth-plate (2 /4 x 3 /4 in.) portrait American Novelist was offered for sale, and we seized the opportunity. Only three other daguerreotype portraits in the collection rival this one in 1 1 By Gary F. Kurutz importance: the half-plate (4 /2 x 5 /2 in.) of Captain John Sutter, the founder of Sacramento; a Robert H. Vance half-plate of Wil- liam Richardson, builder of the first house in Yerba Buena (San Francisco) and owner of Rancho Sausalito; and a sixth-plate of Theodore Judah, builder of California’s first railroad and the engineer who conceived of the Central Pacific Railroad. John Rollin Ridge’s fame rests on the fact that he is regarded as the first Native American novelist and first Native Ameri- can professional writer. He is best known in California for his alluring, action-packed book The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta, the Celebrated California Bandit. Reflecting his Native American heritage and adding to the allure of the book, the author is indentified only as “Yellow Bird,” the English trans- lation of his Cherokee name, rather than by his Anglo name. Published in 1854, this work of historical fiction may also be Elizabeth (Lizzie) Wilson Ridge, the wife of the Mr. Kurutz is the Foundation’s Executive Director and Curator of celebrated author. Special Collections at the California State Library.
18 California State Library Foundation regarded as the first novel published in the Golden State. It also “[Murrieta] leaves behind him the important gave us California’s first folk hero or celebrity bandit.3 Some have called Murrieta (now the accepted spelling) the “Robin Hood of El Dorado” who sought to right the wrongs inflicted on lesson that there is nothing so dangerous in its Hispanics suffering from the cruel hands of avaricious Anglo invaders during the Gold Rush. Ridge’s book led to pirated edi- tions, translations, dime novels, plays, movies, and as some consequences as injustice to individuals . . . have asserted, inspired the creation of that masked character known as Zorro. that a wrong done to one man is a wrong to Today, only two copies of this legendary work are known to survive in first edition. Alas, the State Library does not possess this rarity, but this sixth-plate daguerreotype gives the Library a society and to the world.” – J. R. Ridge unique Ridge artifact. When that distinguished group of biblio- philes and scholars known as the Zamorano Club of Los Ange- les published The Zamorano 80, an annotated bibliography of the most important books on California history in 1945, Ridge’s masterpiece was included. With this exclusive listing, its promi- nence skyrocketed. Institutions and collectors alike, however, have been frustrated because of the title’s rarity, and when the only privately held copy has been auctioned, it has realized extraordinary prices. Henry Clifford’s copy was acquired at auc- tion by Daniel Volkmann in 1994 for $69,000 thus complet- ing his Zamorano 80 collection. Then in 2003, Mr. Volkmann put his collection up for sale and everyone eagerly awaited lot number sixty-four, the Yellow Bird. When the auctioneer’s ham- mer finally came down, a private collector paid an astounding $86,250 for the ninety-one page pamphlet.4
John Rollin Ridge: A Short Profile he son of Cherokee Indian leader John Ridge was born in T1827 in New Echota, Georgia. In addition to naming him John Rollin, the new father gave his son the Native American name of Cheesquatalawny, which translated into English means Yellow Bird. Sarah Bird, Yellow Bird’s mother, was a white woman his father had met while attending school in Connecti- cut. His grandfather, Major Ridge was also a Cherokee chieftain. In 1835 the Ridges and other Cherokee leaders negotiated the Treaty of New Echota with the federal government to remove the Cherokees across the Mississippi River to Indian Territory. They agreed to do this as the only way to save themselves from the incursion of white squatters on their tribal lands following the discovery of gold in Georgia. This concession of land and forced removal so upset other tribal members that they plotted to kill the Ridges. John Ross, another prominent Cherokee, led this anti-treaty faction. At dawn on June 22, 1839, twelve-year-old Yellow Bird witnessed the horrific murder of his father at their family home. Seeing his father dragged out and stabbed mul- The publication of the Murrieta story by Ridge in 1854 spawned a number of tiple times amid the anguished screams of his mother naturally derivative publications including this 1881 Dime Novel, Joaquin the Terrible.
Bulletin Number 98 19 left an indelible mark on the boy. Later that morning another group of Ross’ followers gunned down Major Ridge. Thoughts of revenge against these assassins never left John Rollin Ridge’s consciousness. Following this bloody tragedy, his mother moved the family out of Indian Territory to the safety of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and sent her son off to Massachusetts to further his education. He returned home at the age of seventeen to study law and became involved in tribal politics. Like his father, Ridge met a white girl, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Wilson, and they fell in love and married. She gave birth to their only offspring, Alice. Again, like his father, young Ridge became embroiled in tribal politics. Bitter and revenge-minded over the murders, he got into a dispute with David Kell, one of John Ross’s support- ers. This erupted into a fight and Ridge shot him in self defense. Some believe that Kell was trying to provoke a fight as an excuse to kill the remaining male in the Ridge family. Fearing for his life, Ridge left Arkansas for Missouri. With news of California’s golden discovery, the determined young man headed west on April 18, 1850, seeking new and safer opportunities. He left Lizzie and Alice behind. Happily, they joined him two years later coming to California via the Isth- mus of Panama. Ridge tried his hand at gold mining, but like so many others, did not strike it rich. California, however, offered promise in other ways. Well educated and articulate, the transplanted Cherokee sup- ported his family with his writing and legal skills. At various times he worked as an auditor, recorder, and deputy county A San Francisco publisher printed a third edition of Ridge’s book on the notorious outlaw approximately four years after the author’s clerk. He enjoyed a successful career penning articles, com- death. Only two known copies survive of the 1854 first edition. posing poems, and editing newspapers in various Northern California cities, including Marysville, Eureka, Red Bluff, San Francisco, and Sacramento. Ridge’s most famous poem was entitled “Mount Shasta.” From April 3, to July 29, 1857, he was employed as the first editor of the Sacramento Bee filling its pages with his own opinions and poetry. Although a devoted proponent of Indian rights, Ridge demonstrated that human beings are complicated and contradictory. He believed that Cali- fornia Indians were inferior to those of his own tribe and those in the eastern U.S. and that Indians should be assimilated into American society. As the Civil War erupted, he supported slav- ery; opposed Abraham Lincoln, but at the same time, defended the Union. He blamed the war on the abolitionist movement. While covering events in his early California years, the jour- nalist became fascinated by the exploits of the aforementioned Joaquín Murrieta. Murrieta’s supposed death at the hands of Harry Love and his posse created a sensation, especially when the pickled head of the bandit toured California. John Rollin based his novel on interviews and extensive newspaper research
20 California State Library Foundation concerning the depredations of Mexicans as they carried out their war of revenge against Yankee California. He wrote it as a factual book and probably never thought of it as a novel. Inter- estingly, the book’s title page carried the name Yellow Bird as the author rather than his Anglo name. No doubt, that decision added to the allure of the slender, wrapper-bound story. So con- vincing was his narrative that two of the great California histo- rians of the nineteenth century, Theodore Hittell and Hubert Howe Bancroft accepted it as fact. Since its publication in 1854, the veracity of his book and indeed the actual existence of Mur- rieta have been hotly debated. Articles and whole chapters of books speculate on the reality of Life and Adventures. Dr. James W. Parins in his full-length biography, John Rollin Ridge: His Life and Works, classifies it as a novel. Experts on Ridge agree that the author saw a little of himself in Murrieta and his horse gang, identifying with a people who had lost their land, suffered injus- tices, and hoped to exact revenge on their oppressors. In the conclusion, Yellow Bird offered this moving passage: He [Murrieta] displayed qualities of mind and heart which marked him as an extraordinary man. He also leaves behind him the important lesson that there is nothing so danger- ous in its consequences as injustice to individuals—whether it arises from prejudice of color or any other source; that a wrong done to one man is a wrong to society and to the world. Because of the richness of narrative and heroism or villainy of the main character, Ridge hoped to make a great deal of money through the sale of his Murrieta story or at least make a name for himself. However, given its extraordinary scarcity and conflict- John Rollin Ridge posed for this carte de visite photograph in the ing statements by author and publisher, it is difficult to assess mid-1860s. It was used as the frontispiece for the posthumous how well it sold. One version has it that all copies but a handful publication of his book of poetry published in San Francisco in 1868. were lost in a fire. Ridge, however, claimed seven thousand copies quickly sold, making it a veritable bestseller. Ridge encountered one other unforeseen difficulty: his text was plagiarized. In an age before strict copyright enforcement, a pirated version appeared in the 1859 issues of the San Francisco Police Gazette. Subsequently, other versions of the Murrieta legend were published based on Yellow Bird’s original story, including a dime novel (see illustra- tion). This literary theft thwarted Ridge of hoped-for financial success and his plans for a follow-up second edition. Eventually a revised and expanded “third edition” was published (c. 1871) by MacCrellish & Company after Ridge’s death. At least the San Francisco publisher credited Ridge as the author and acknowl- edged his contribution to California’s literary heritage. After all, he did give us California’s first great legend. Typical of that era, journalists moved from town to town and Ridge was no exception. Eventually, he settled in Grass Valley and continued in journalism pushing for Indian rights. In 1866, the federal government invited him to Washington, D.C. to lead
Bulletin Number 98 21 a delegation of Cherokees to further promote their rights. It was his hope and dream that the Indian Territory would be admit- Endnotes ted as a state of the Union. Sharply disappointed in the results, 1. The daguerreotype or mirror image was invented in 1839 by the he returned to Grass Valley and died on October 5, 1867, at the Frenchman Jean Jacques Mandé Daguerre. The image is formed on a polished copper plate that has been coated with light sensi- young age of forty. Lizzie buried him at the city’s Greenwood tive silver iodide. After exposure in a camera, the plate is exposed Cemetery.5 A year later Henry Payot & Company of San Fran- to mercury vapors and interacts with the silver to form a “latent” cisco published a beautifully printed volume of his poems that or visible image. The plate is fixed or made permanent with com- began with a short autobiography detailing his pre-California mon salt and toned with gold chloride. It does not use a negative years.6 Lizzie edited the work and held the copyright. Its frontis- to create a positive image. Consequently, each daguerreotype is piece is an actual photograph of her husband (see illustration). unique and cannot be duplicated unless it is copied by another As a further memorial, Lizzie planted a maple tree from Get- camera or a scanner. The fixed image is protected by sheet brass tysburg at School and Neal streets in Grass Valley.7 In 1933, the and glass and placed in a sealed case as the silver plate can easily be rubbed off, damaged or scratched. The California Gold Rush native Sons of the Golden West placed a bronze plaque at his was the first event in national history to be extensively docu- grave. Though these monuments honor Yellow Bird’s memory, mented by this new technology. Its popularity waned in the mid it is the daguerreotype that preserves the memory of his indomi- to late 1850s as it was supplanted by the ambrotype and paper table spirit. prints made from glass negatives.
The Yellow Bird Daguerreotype 2. Half-plate and sixth-plate refers to the sizes of the actual image. Daguerreotypes are measured this way and range in size from a hen John Rollin posed in front of the daguerrian’s cam- 3 5 1 1 sixteenth plate (1 /8 x 1 /8 in.) to a whole plate (6 /2 x 8 /2 in.). Wera is not known. Perhaps he had his likeness recorded to send to his wife and infant daughter when he left them back 3. If you are interested in knowing more about the story of Mur- in Missouri while he searched for gold in California. Judging rieta; the wrongs done to him, the members of his gang of des- by the style of the leather and wood protective case, surround- perados including Three-Finger Jack and Claudio; his success in ing enclosure of glass and sheet-brass, and embossed velvet, meting out revenge; the efforts to capture him by Harry Love; his the sixth-plate may have been made in the early or mid-1850s. gruesome death and decapitation; the reward given to Love by the State Legislature; the history of Murrieta’s pickled head; and Having a daguerreotype made was not inexpensive, and the the California place names, books, films, plays, etc. recording his look of his dress is indicative of a proud and prosperous man. exploits please see the sources consulted. Unfortunately, too, the name of the daguerrian who created this impressive portrait is unknown. Sometimes, though, those pio- 4. These auction prices include the 15% buyer’s premium. Thus neer camera operators had their names or logos embossed on Volkmann paid $60,000 for the book plus another $9,000 paid the protective velvet opposite the image but, that was more the to the auctioneer. These prices do not include state sales tax. 8 exception than the rule. 5. Yours truly visited the modest grave and saw that Yellow Bird How do we know this is Ridge since the image has no iden- rests next to his wife, daughter, and other Ridge family members. tification? According to the dealer who offered the image to the Library, a Ridge family descendant sold the daguerreotype 6. John R. Ridge, Poems. San Francisco: Henry Payot & Company, 1868. It was beautifully printed by Edward Bosqui, that city’s fin- sometime in the 1950s and it changed hands among dealers est printer. of historical photographs over the decades. Furthermore, a comparison of photographs taken in the 1860s would seem to 7. The memorial tree suffered much damage in a storm during the confirm that they are the same person. Later reproductions of winter of 2005. the daguerreotype found in numerous institutions identify it as 8. The vast majority of the State Library’s daguerreotypes are Ridge. Last, every major book that mentions the famed author unidentified as to the maker of the daguerreotype. The Library includes a reproduction of that same daguerreotype. As further does have examples by Robert H. Vance and George Howard authentication, the paperback second edition of Parins’s book Johnson, two of California’s most prominent pioneer photogra- published in 2004 uses the image as its cover illustration. phers. The Yellow Bird daguerreotype has been fully cataloged and digitized and may be found in the State Library’s online catalog joining a galaxy of pioneer portraits. J
22 California State Library Foundation Sources Consulted Boessenecker, John. “Bring Me the Head of Joaquín Murrieta,” Latta, Frank F. Joaquín Murrieta and His Horse Gangs. Santa Cruz: in Gold Dust and Gunsmoke. New John: John Willey, c. 1999, pp. Bear State Books, 1980. 75–99. MacLean, Angus. Legends of the California Bandidos. Fresno: Pioneer Dorothy Sloan–Rare Books, Inc. A Complete Collection of The Zamo- Publishing, 1977. rano 80. A Selection of Distinguished California Books Made by Mem- Nadeau, Remi. The Real Joaquín Murieta. Los Angles: Trans-Anglo bers of the Zamorano Club Formed by Daniel G. Volkmann, Jr. Austin, Books, 1974. Texas: by the author, 2003. Noy, Gary. “The California Bandit and Yellow Bird.” The Nevada Farquhar, Francis P. and Raymond Woods. Joaquín Murieta: The Union (September 17, 2005). Brigand Chief of California. Fresno: Valley Publishers, 1969. Parins, James W. John Rollin Ridge: His Life and Works. Lincoln: Uni- Garza, Huberto. Joaquín Murrieta: A Quest for Justice. San José: versity of Nebraska, 2004. Chusman House, 2001. Varley, James F. The Legend of Joaquín Murrieta. Twin Falls, Idaho: Goeke, Joe. “Yellow Bird and the Bandit: Minority Authorship, Big Lost River Press, 1995. Class, and Audience in John Rollin Ridge’s The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta,” Western American Literature 37 (Winter 2003): 453–478.
This bronze plaque was placed in memory of Ridge at his burial site in Grass Valley.
Bulletin Number 98 23 New Legislator Prof iles: Assembly Members Alyson Huber and Paul Fong
By Mimi Morris
Assembly Member Alyson Huber, El Dorado Hills Assembly Member Alyson Huber, representing El Dorado Hills.
ssembly Member Alyson Huber 10th District (D-El the law acquired at Hastings has Dorado Hills), is a California native, who grew up undoubtedly provided the neces- in several communities in the state. She served as a sary combination of skills to help business lawyer and advocate of nonprofit organizations before ensure that everything is truly seeking election to the California State Assembly. Huber has possible! served on the boards of both the Junior League of Sacramento Assembly Member Huber and a San Jose-based community theater group. She has also vol- joins a growing contingent of unteered to help transition foster youth to independence. female legislative representa- Her decision to run for the Assembly grew out of her concern tives in California. California’s that regional problems were escalating in her district, which first four assemblywomen were spans four counties: Amador, parts of Sacramento, San Joa- elected in 1918, just seven years quin, and El Dorado. Assembly Member Huber felt that a strong after women received the right to vote in California. Another advocate was needed to serve this geographically wide-ranging ten women served in the Assembly between 1918 and 1968. district. Although she had never held elected office before and The first female senator was elected only thirty-four years ago, had never even served on a school board – the traditional path to in 1976. Today, Huber is one of thirty-three women serving in statewide elected office – Huber handled her campaign and her California’s Assembly and Senate. first year as an Assembly Member with great confidence. Her first legislative session is testimony to her comfort in Her confidence no doubt results from her survival of multiple her new arena. She served, in typical, multi-tasking, working- obstacles in her childhood, including economic hardship that mother fashion, on four standing committees (Veteran Affairs; resulted in ten moves in twelve years and her family’s reliance Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy; Higher Educa- on public assistance. The process of overcoming these obstacles tion; and Accountability and Administrative Review), four select resulted in the creation of an individual who truly believes that committees (Lowering California’s High School Dropout Rate, “everything is possible. “ Preservation of California’s Entertainment Industry, Regional The uncertainties of Assembly Member Huber’s early years Approaches to the State’s Water Crisis, and Wine), and two joint smoothed out as she entered college. She is in the rare posi- committees (Emergency Management and the Joint Legislative tion of having attended all three systems of higher education Audit Committee, JLAC), which she also chaired. in California, from undergraduate studies at the local commu- The economic crisis of 2009 – with its four state budgets in nity college to California State University, Chico to law school at eight months – was viewed as an opportunity to work to more the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law. She effectively focus limited resources. Assembly Member Huber ini- also had the opportunity to finalize her undergraduate degree in communications at Cornell University in upstate New York. Mimi Morris is the Executive Officer of the California Cultural and Her extensive and successful experiences in debate activities at Historical Endowment, a program administered by the California both CSU, Chico and Cornell combined with her knowledge of State Library. She is a past contributor to the Bulletin.
24 California State Library Foundation Assembly Member Paul Fong, Cupertino tiated AB 579, which, though vetoed by the Governor, would have Assembly Member Paul Fong 22nd District, (D-Cupertino), a required an audit of the workload of paid board members where native of Macao, arrived in California at the tender age of three. the boards meet infrequently and the members are compensated He held multiple leadership positions in community college at over $100,000 per year. Her goal was to ensure better usage governance and community service organizations before seek- of scarce public resources. In addition to AB 579, she authored ing election to the California State Assembly. eighteen other pieces of legislation, ranging from protection of His election in November 2008 was the next logical step in a the Delta to worker’s compensation to political reform. career dedicated to preserving the civil rights of all Californians. Assembly Member Huber has a deep appreciation for librar- While spending fifteen years as a political science professor at ies and believes they will still be the information hubs in our Evergreen Valley College and fifteen years as an instructor at society because virtual information sources can never replace Foothill-De Anza College, Assemblyman Fong served consecu- books. Books, in addition to providing a different experience tive terms as president of the board of trustees for Foothill-De from reading documents on a computer screen, are part of our Anza Community College District. He also served on the boards state treasures. She also feels that the library space itself is an of the California Community College Trustees, the Foothill-De important meeting place – a place that serves as a community- Anza Community College District Foundation, and the National gathering spot that is used by all manner of community orga- Board of the Association of Community College Trustees. nizations. Her favorite library is the A.D. White Library, one of In addition to his work as a community college educator and many specialty libraries located on the campus of Cornell Uni- leader, Assembly Member Fong and his wife run a retail flower versity. The Andrew Dickson White Library was a quiet, hidden business named the Flower Cottage. place on a hill overlooking all of Ithaca, New York. Part of its He was inspired to run for elected office because of his desire charm came from the extensive wood paneling and spiral stair- to help Asian Americans gain a voice in their own governance, a cases that provided access to its special collections. goal for which he has advocated for almost forty years. In 1972, When asked which period in California’s 150 years of state- he helped found Asian Americans for Community Involve- hood she finds most interesting, Assembly Member Huber ment (AACI), a community services organization dedicated to cited the Mission Era. Her appreciation for this period is rein- the healthy development of youth and social justice. Through- forced by her memories of field trips to California missions and out his adult life, he has also been very involved with nonprofit her fourth grade classroom full of mission reproductions. The organizations that help families overcome poverty and provide State Library looks forward to sharing more mission history more housing for individuals of limited means. with Assembly Member Huber from its rich collection of Cali- As chair of the Elections and Redistricting Committee, Assem- fornia historical books and ephemera. bly Member Fong has been able to evaluate and oversee state policy on elections and redistricting issues. In addition, his impressive list of committee assignments includes three stand- Welcome to the Legislature, ing committees (Banking and Finance, Higher Education, and Assembly Member Huber! Utilities and Commerce) and five select committees (Aerospace,
Bulletin Number 98 25 Assembly Member Paul Fong, representing Cupertino. Biotechnology, Community Colleges, Domestic Violence, and nese Discrimination Era, an era Innovation and the Bay Area Economy). that began with the economic In his first legislative session – a rollercoaster ride of a session downturn that followed the that had legislators considering four budgets in eight months – Gold Rush and the completion Assembly Member Fong initiated twenty-one pieces of legisla- of the transcontinental railroad. tion that demonstrate the depth and breadth of his interests. The weakened economy of the The topics ranged from student safety on community college 1870s and 1880s led to a back- campuses to water conservation measures to multilingual disas- lash against the many Chinese ter preparedness, a bill that addressed emergency notification Americans seeking to continue strategies. But, he is best known for his efforts to get Assembly working in California. The dis- Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 42 passed by both the Assembly criminatory laws which included and the Senate. This resolution acknowledges the history and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 denied Chinese Americans contributions of Chinese Americans in California and expresses the right to own property, bear arms, vote, marry a white per- regret for discriminatory laws and constitutional provisions that son, attend public schools, testify as a witness, fish in California resulted in the persecution of Chinese living in California dur- waters. In addition to the implausibility of making a life for one- ing those times. The resolution underscores a commitment to self under such discriminatory laws, Chinese Americans were the idea that all men are created equal and the collective need also the targets of anti-Chinese violence. In 1910, Chinese and for Americans to remember and learn from California’s “imper- other Asian immigrants were detained for lengthy periods of time fect history” in order to strive to preserve the founding demo- for examination prior to entering the United States at the Angel cratic ideals of our nation. Island Detention Center, the Ellis Island of the West Coast. The Assembly Member Fong loves libraries and believes they serve Immigration Act of 1924 included the Asian Exclusion Act which as a vital community resource. Libraries store all the knowledge excluded all Asian laborers from entering the United States and and information amassed by humanity and are a dissemination remained in effect until 1952! route for that information to whomever needs it. The assembly- Clearly, this unjust chapter in California’s history extended man believes this role for libraries will continue on in the new well beyond the 19th century with minor and ongoing correc- information age. His favorite library is the Martin Luther King tions still taking place. The assemblyman, with his commitment Library in downtown San Jose. This library is enormous with a to heightening awareness of past and current discriminatory collection that takes up close to eight floors of space. The library practices along with ensuring the fair and equitable treatment is run jointly by the City of San Jose and San Jose State Univer- of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, is a welcome addition to sity, a productive collaboration that has created great opportu- the California Assembly. nity and benefit for both the collaborating institutions and the residents of San Jose. When asked which period in California’s 150 years of statehood Welcome to Sacramento, he finds most interesting, Assembly Member Fong cited the Chi- Assembly Member Fong! J
26 California State Library Foundation Foundation Notes
Foundation Board Meets in Woodland
n May 12th, Board Member Tom Stallard graciously hosted help with the processing of this wonderful gift. She is a model Oa Foundation board meeting in the Historic Cranston donor. With her assistance, the Foundation contracted with Building, one of his buildings on Main Street in downtown Marta Knight, a skilled archival processor. Marta made two Woodland. Over the years, Mr. Stallard has actively pursued trips to Mrs. Levy’s home in Sutter Creek to work with her and restoring venerable office buildings in this beautiful Yolo receive additions to the collection. The JoAnn Levy Collection County city. The board meeting was followed by a short but fas- will be a treasure trove for researchers once it is fully accessible. cinating walking tour. An online finding aid has been created describing the collec- President Ken Noack, Jr. opened the well-attended meeting. tion’s contents. The Levy Collection is a wonderful complement State Librarian of California Stacey Aldrich also was present. to papers of other California historians held by the State Library, After the review of finances so ably delivered by Treasurer Tom including those of J. S. Holliday, Kevin Starr, Mike Davis, and Vinson, the board listened to reports by Ms. Aldrich and Execu- William “Hutch” Hutchinson. tive Director Gary Kurutz. The Foundation board voted unani- Phillip L. Isenberg was recommended to the Board by devoted mously to finance the installation of an exterior sign above the member Mead B. Kibbey. Mr. Isenberg, a lawyer by profession, front doors of the Library’s 900 N Street building. Presently, is one Sacramento’s most distinguished and benevolent citi- the sign reads, “Library & Courts II.” The appellate court no lon- zens. In 1975, he became mayor of Sacramento, a post he held ger has offices in the building and the State Library is now the with distinction until 1982. Following this generous service, Mr. sole occupant. The new sign will simply read, “California State Isenberg was elected to the California State Assembly represent- Library” and will greatly help in creating institutional identity. ing the Sacramento region in 1982. Serving on various commit- tees, he won reelection several times before retiring from the Foundation Board Elects Two New Members Assembly in 1996. Active with several community groups, he The board unanimously voted to invite noted historian JoAnn also teaches public policy development at McGeorge School of Levy and former Sacramento Assembly Member and Mayor Law. Earlier this year, he was appointed to the Delta Steward- Phillip L. Isenberg to join the board. Both enthusiastically ship Council and now serves as chair. His expertise with public accepted. JoAnn has been and continues to be an enthusiastic policy will be of much assistance to the State Library, especially supporter of the State Library, especially its California History during these challenging times. J Section. She has achieved national prominence for her path- breaking books They Saw the Elephant: Women in the California Gold Rush; Unsettling the West: Eliza Farnham and Georgiana Bruce Kirby in Frontier California; Daughter of Joy: A Novel of Gold Rush California; and For California’s Gold: A Novel. All are noted for their meticulous research and sparkling prose. An extraor- dinarily talented speaker, she always leaves her audience spell- bound and wanting more. Mrs. Levy has appeared in several television programs and co-starred with the late J. S. Holliday in the PBS American Experience series entitled The Gold Rush. Earlier this year, Mrs. Levy generously donated to the Library her papers documenting much of her writing career and her research material on the history of women in the West. More- The Foundation's Board of Directors met at the State Library in October. over, she thoughtfully contributed funds to the Foundation to On the far right are new board members JoAnn Levy and Phillip Isenberg.
Bulletin Number 98 27 Foundation Notes
Early Abraham Lincoln Document Discovered
Editor’s Note documents written by Lincoln in their collections. Kurutz sent Foundation Executive Director Gary F. Kurutz was interviewed by high-resolution scans of three 1830s militia muster rolls (lists radio and television stations concerning the discovery of an Abra- of volunteers) and one corresponding military inventory docu- ham Lincoln document from 1832 in the State Library’s James F. ment to the Papers of Abraham Lincoln at the Abraham Lincoln Reed Manuscript Collection. The following is part of the press release Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. issued on September 19, 2009, by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential The muster rolls were for Captain Jacob M. Early’s company of Library & Museum in Springfield, Illinois. mounted volunteers from June 20 and July 10, 1832. The inven- tory was also dated June 20, 1832. Each of the four documents had n one of the more unusual discoveries in recent years, the name of Private Abraham Lincoln among the list of soldiers. Iresearchers in Illinois, Utah, and California have confirmed Several experts on Lincoln’s handwriting at the Papers of Abraham that an original Abraham Lincoln document from the 1830s Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library examined was carried by one of Lincoln’s military buddies on the ill-fated the documents and determined that Abraham Lincoln had writ- Donner Party expedition to California in the 1840s. That docu- ten the title for one of the July 10 muster rolls. The two-and-one- ment, an 1832 list of the men in a company of Illinois volunteers half lines read, “Muster Roll of Captain Jacob M. Early’s Company during the Black Hawk War, is located in the California State of Mounted Volunteers Mustered out of the service of the United Library in Sacramento, where experts recently determined it States By order of Brigadier General Atkinson of the United States contains Lincoln’s original handwriting. army on White Water Rivers of Rock River on the 10th day of July “We often find documents that detail fascinating stories about 1832.” The remainder of the document is written in another hand, Abraham Lincoln’s life and times, but it is rare indeed for the probably that of Captain Jacob Early, and is endorsed by Lieuten- document to have such an intriguing history after it was writ- ant Robert Anderson as Assistant Inspector General. ten,” said Daniel Stowell, director of the Papers of Abraham The documents are in the James Frazier Reed Collection at the Lincoln. “That these documents detail part of Lincoln’s military California State Library. Reed was one of the organizing mem- service and that they accompanied the Donner Party to Califor- bers of the Donner Party, a group of ill-fated pioneers that left nia makes them doubly significant.” Springfield, Illinois, in April 1846. Historians believe these docu- “Our interest in James Reed’s papers centers on the horrific ments accompanied the settlers as they endured a harsh winter in ordeal of the Donner Party,” observed Gary Kurutz, the head of the Sierra Nevada and resorted to cannibalism to survive. Special Collections at the California State Library in Sacramento, James F. Reed’s name appears on the muster rolls just “but it is fascinating to learn of his pre-California life, the Black beneath Abraham Lincoln’s, but it is unlikely that he had the Hawk War, and his association not only with a future president documents originally. Further research revealed that Captain but also with the other fascinating personalities recorded on the Jacob M. Early died in March 1838, and James F. Reed was one muster roll, including noted Western explorer and mountain of two men whom Early appointed to execute his will. It is likely man James Clyman.” that Reed acquired the muster rolls and inventory at that time In February 2010, Donner Party expert Kristin Johnson, a because they were part of his personal history. Attorney Abra- librarian at Salt Lake Community College, contacted the Papers ham Lincoln represented Reed and the other executor in a case of Abraham Lincoln about documents from the Black Hawk War to sell land from Early’s estate to pay his debts. at the California State Library in Sacramento that might have When Reed left for California in the spring of 1846, he took been written by Abraham Lincoln. Pursuing this lead, Papers his wife, stepdaughter, three children, and his personal belong- Director Daniel Stowell contacted Gary Kurutz at the California ings, including the Black Hawk War muster rolls and inven- State Library about the possibility that there were undiscovered tory. As the Donner Party traveled along the Humboldt River
28 California State Library Foundation in northern Nevada in October, Reed quarreled with a teamster n Gurdon S. Hubbard of Vermilion County, Illinois, a Chicago and stabbed him to death. Banished from the party without pioneer, fur trader, and meat packer. He built Chicago’s first his family, Reed traveled on alone to Sutter’s Fort in the Sacra- stockyard and served in the Illinois General Assembly in the mento Valley. After gathering provisions, he tried to return to 1830s. the Donner Party, but deep snows prevented him from rejoin- n James Clyman of Vermilion County, Illinois, mountain man ing his family. In February 1847, Reed was part of a rescue and explorer. Clyman traveled with Jedediah Smith in 1824, party that found his family, all still alive. Decades later, Reed’s when their party rediscovered the South Pass through the daughter Martha Jane “Patty” Reed, who was nine at the time Rocky Mountains that became a vital part of the Oregon Trail. of their transcontinental journey, remembered that when the He also explored the entirety of the Great Salt Lake in what Reeds abandoned two of their wagons in early September, her later became the State of Utah. After serving in the Black mother kept with her a small carpetbag containing the muster Hawk War, Clyman returned west and crossed the Great Salt rolls and other treasured family heirlooms. When James Reed Lake Desert and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. On his return was expelled from the party, he left the papers with his wife, trip in 1846, he met the Donner Party at Fort Laramie. He and “she brought them safely in her bosom to California when advised James Reed to take the well-established California helped by the first relief party which went to their assistance.” Trail rather than the Hastings Cutoff “shortcut,” but Reed Many people know that Abraham Lincoln was elected cap- disregarded his advice. In 1871, Clyman recalled that Lincoln tain of a company of volunteers from Sangamon County, Illi- was in his company, but “we didn’t think much then about his nois during the short-lived Black Hawk War of 1832 that took ever being President of the United States.” place in Illinois and Wisconsin. Fewer people know that two n Lieutenant Robert Anderson, Assistant Inspector General, days after Captain Lincoln’s company was disbanded on May United States Army. By 1860, he had risen to the rank of 27, he re-enlisted as a private in Captain Elijah Iles’s company Major and commanded the United States army garrison in of mounted volunteers. Iles’s company was disbanded on June Charleston, South Carolina. Anderson’s decision to move his 16, and on June 20 Lincoln again volunteered as a private in command to the more defensible Fort Sumter in Charleston Captain Jacob Early’s company. harbor and the inability of Anderson’s new Commander-in- The muster rolls provide a summary of Early’s company at Chief Abraham Lincoln to resupply or reinforce the fort led the beginning and the end of its brief, three-week service. They to the bombardment and surrender of the fort in April 1861, reveal that Private Abraham Lincoln had a horse worth $85 and thus inaugurating the American Civil War. equipment valued at $15. The inventory indicated that Lincoln The Papers of Abraham Lincoln is a project of the Abraham received one tent that was United States property to be returned Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois, at the end of his service. whose goal is to identify, digitize, transcribe, and publish com- The muster roll of Captain Jacob Early’s company contains prehensively all documents written by or to Abraham Lincoln the names of many who later became prominent or who were during his lifetime, 1809–1865. The Center for State Policy and associated with Abraham Lincoln’s life and career: Leadership at the University of Illinois Springfield and the Abra- n John T. Stuart of Sangamon County, Illinois, Abraham Lin- ham Lincoln Association serve as project cosponsors. They have coln’s first law partner. Stuart settled in Springfield, Illinois, completed The Papers of Abraham Lincoln: Legal Documents and in 1828 and served as a major in the Black Hawk War before, Cases, published in 2008 by the University of Virginia Press; and like Lincoln, reenlisting in Early’s company as a private. The Law Practice of Abraham Lincoln, Second Edition published n John D. Johnston of Coles County, Illinois, Abraham Lin- online in 2009. More information about the project can be found coln’s stepbrother. at http://www.papersofabrahamlincoln.org. J
Bulletin Number 98 29 Foundation Notes
State Library Muybridge Images in Traveling Exhibition
adweard Muybridge (1830–1904) ranks as one of the world’s Emost famous photographers. English born, he is consid- ered by many to be the father of the motion picture and is well- known for his studies of human and animal figures in motion, brilliant landscape views of Yosemite, and his 1877 panorama of San Francisco. The Corcoran Museum of Art in Washing- ton, D.C. recently opened a spectacular exhibition interpreting his storied career. In addition, they published a sumptuous accompanying volume, Helios: Eadweard Muybridge in a Time of Change. The book and exhibit reevaluate Muybridge’s career “in the context of cultural and political milieus in which he worked, forming the first major retrospective exhibition to examine all aspects of his photography.” Phillip Brockman of the Corcoran curated this extraordinary exhibit that not only featured Muy- bridge’s photographs but also numerous photographic artifacts. The Corcoran borrowed from the Library such noteworthy pieces as a large folio album of forty albumen mammoth plate views (16 x 20 in.) of Yosemite; single mammoth plate photo- graphs of San Francisco and the Pigeon Point Light House in San Mateo County; a book that Muybridge himself signed and presented to the State Library entitled Descriptive Zoöpraxogra- phy or the Science of Animal Locomotion (1893); and an album entitled The Pacific Coast of Central America and Mexico (1876). The later includes a superb Muybridge letter and the title page Pigeon Point Light House, San Mateo County, c. 1875. Albumen mammoth is inscribed to Mrs. Wirt W. Pendegast, the wife of his defense plate photograph attributed to Eadweard Muybridge. 21¼ x 16½ in. attorney during his sensational murder trial.* The exhibit opened last April 10 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and will be at the Tate London from September 8 to January 16, 2011. It will then travel to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and will be on display from February 26 to June 7, 2011.
* On October 17, 1874, Muybridge murdered his wife’s lover, Harry Larkyns. Muybridge was tried in Napa and was acquitted by the jury for defending his honor. J
30 California State Library Foundation The California State Library Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of The Final Days of Father Miguel Hidalgo Y Costilla Initiator of Mexican Independence, 1811 Testimony and Recollections of Melchor Guasp, His Jailer.
he Mexican Collection of the Sutro Library Branch of the TCalifornia State Library has recently acquired an extraor- dinary manuscript on this, the Bicentenary of Mexican Inde- pendence and the Grito de Dolores by Miguel Hidalgo. The manuscript provides a moving eyewitness account of the final days of Hidalgo before his execution. Hidalgo is universally revered as the father of Mexican Independence. Dr. W. Michael Mathes has translated and introduced this extraordinary manuscript. Dr. Mathes LOS ÚLTIMOS DÍAS DEL PADRE MIGUEL HIDALGO Y COSTILLA is Honorary Curator of Mexicana at the THE FINAL DAYS OF FATHER INICIADOR DE LA INDEPENDENCIA MIGUEL HIDALGO Y COSTILLA MEXICANA, 1811 Sutro Library, member of the Orden INITIATOR OF MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE, 1811 Mexicana del Águila Azteca, Academia Mexicana de la Historia, professor Emeri- tus of the University of San Francisco, and author of numerous award winning books on Mexican history. Handsomely designed and illustrated, the edition of this bi-lingual publication is limited to 500 copies. Printed in full color and wrapper bound, the publication mea- sures 9 x 11 inches.
Cost: $21 including tax and shipping. Please make your check payable to the California State Library Foundation. 1225 8th Street, Suite 345 Sacramento, CA 95814 USA (916) 447-6331 [email protected] J
Bulletin Number 98 31 Recent Contributors
ASSOCIATE In Honor of Phyllis Orlik On Her 80th Birthday Robert D. Tatam, Stockton Dr. Durlynn C. Anema, Valley Springs Phyllis & Stanley Vernon, Walnut Creek Bert Lee Thompson, Granite Bay Jack Barrett, Sacramento In Honor of Clarissa Perez, Sheila F. Thornton, Sacramento Library Services Tech & Reading Assistant Lawrence Cenotto, Jackson Martin Max Treu, Charlottesville, VA Scott & Denise Richmond, Sacramento Robert & Averil Leach, West Sacramento WGBH Educational Foundation, Boston, MA In Memory of George Westwick Ursula Meyer, Stockton George & Claudia Feathers, Carmichael Sibylle & Val Zemitis, Davis Laura B. Parker, Davis Friends & Coworkers, Appellate Zazzle.com, Redwood City E. R. Penrose, Sacramento Operations, California In Support of the Clark Family Collection Unemployment Insurance Jan S. Stevens, Sacramento Mission Oaks Company, Hanford Appeals Board, Sacramento In Support of the Honorable Michael & Colleen Ward, Rocklin Members of Camillia City Stockinettes Quentin L. Kopp Collection Robert K. White, Tomales Knitting, Citrus Heights Hon. Quentin L. Kopp, San Francisco John & Nannette Philip, Camarillo CONTRIBUTOR Mrs. Norma Westwick, Sacramento In Memory of Turner Mead Kibbey Mr. & Mrs. George Basye, Sacramento Mr. & Mrs. Warren J. Abbott, West Covina CALIFORNIA HISTORY Hank & Catherine Feenstra, Carmichael Judith Auth, Riverside Allan E. Forbes, Chico John E. Allen, Sacramento Gerald E. Benston, MD, Rancho Mirage Gerrilee Hafvenstein, Cameron Park Sunny Alston, Sacramento Collin Clark, Sacramento KD & Gary Kurutz, Sacramento Patricia Ambacher, Sacramento Bill & Julia Schaw, Sacramento Friends of Bellflower Library, Bellflower Russell & Elizabeth Austin, Sacramento Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Schei, Sacramento Mr. & Mrs. Albert Faris, Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Samuel E. Statler, Jr., Sacramento Backcountry Pictures, South Pasadena Pauline Grenbeaux, Sacramento In Honor of Gary F. Kurutz Molly W. Berger, Shaker Heights, OH William & Mary Iracki, San Francisco The Bookery, Placerville James R. Blaine, Vacaville Sheila J. Marsh, Sacramento In Support of the Oregon California Trails Mark Bowen, Sacramento Suzanne & Thomas Silk, San Francisco Association Western Trails Collection Peter Browning, Lafayette Oregon California Trails Association Robert Tat, San Francisco Cengage Learning, Mason, OH California/Nevada Chapter, Palo Alto United Way California Capital Region, Sacramento Lisa Christiansen, Cupertino In Memory of Audrey J. Fambrini SUTRO LIBRARY Eugene L. Fambrini, San Francisco William J. Coffill, Sonora Dorothy Demange, Palo Alto David Dawson, Carmichael Moria P. Gardner, Santa Rosa SPONSOR Victoria Dailey & Steve Turner, Beverly Hills Richard L. Johnson, MD, Colusa Les & Mary De Wall, Davis Don De Nevi, Menlo Park Nevah A. Locker, San Francisco Mimi & Burnett Miller, Sacramento Robert M. Dickover, Citrus Heights National Society Women Descendants of the United Way California Capital Region, Sacramento Educational Testing Services, San Antonio, TX Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company, Westlake Village PATRON Nancy Ehlers, Sacramento Priscilla J. Royal, Crockett Mead B. Kibbey, Sacramento Glenn Farris, Davis Sheila F. Thornton, Sacramento Thomas & Margaret Stallard, Woodland Jim W. Faulkinbury, Sacramento Mr. Neal Gordon, Folsom Elizabeth Waud, Mill Valley BRAILLE & TALKING BOOK LIBRARY Robert Greenwood, Las Vegas, NV Lenora Williams, Santa Rosa Ms. M. D. Banks, Oroville Peter L. Hartshorn, Needham, MA In Honor of the Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Manuscript Eileen M. Bradshaw, Monterey Jessie V. Heinzman, Elk Grove Irma Bigelow, Los Angeles Caroline C. Burke, Petaluma Houghton Mifflin Company, Orlando, FL Julian V. Canete, Sacramento Marita Cunningham, Auburn Dr. Howard Karno, Valley Center Maria T. Giuriato, Salinas Judge Bill L. Dozier, Stockton Barbara Jane Land, San Francisco Jose Rubio Lopez, Gonzales Brenda Quintana, Placerville Marilyn Gerhard, Sacramento Lerner Publishing Group, Minneapolis, MN Norma M. Quintana, Santa Ana Constance V. Hall, Los Altos JoAnn Levy, Sutter Creek Elsa Quintana-Gibbs, Fullerton Thomas H. Hudson, San Leandro Cindy L. Mediavilla, Culver City WITKIN LAW LIBRARY Ernest & Cynthia Landy, Orinda M. Patricia Morris, Sacramento Michael N. Garabedian, Citrus Heights Agnes Lombard Estate, Santa Rosa Proteotypes, Brooklyn, NY Marjorie Mahl, Mill Valley Random House, Inc. New York, NY CALIFORNIA CULTURAL & HISTORICAL ENDOWMENT Christine C. O’Neill, San Rafael Fernando E. Russell, Carmichael California Council for the Humanities, Inc., H. B. Provance, Chico Whitney & Clasina Shane, Prunedale San Francisco Mrs. Edith P. Schmidt, Walnut Creek Marvin Shepherd, Walnut Creek Muriel P. Johnson, Sacramento In Memory of Virginia Arrighi Mr. & Mrs. Robert Shumaker, Fair Oaks Jan Marie & David Graber, Fair Oaks Townsend Public Affairs Inc., Irvine Claudia J. Skelton, Seattle, WA In Memory of Henry J. Hustedt Gary E. Strong, Los Angeles Mary Milton, San Leandro
32 California State Library Foundation Sixth-plate daguerreotype portrait of John Rollin Ridge, the first Native American Novelist.